Wood and Barnes

[DomBFC1882]

Didn’t I read that SD said they were all scoring well in training and could understand why that wasn’t happening on the pitch?

I would like to see a new striker come in to replace Vydra, someone full of confidence would refresh the striker department.

You sure did mate SD said it

[FactualFrank]

This is spot on for me, confidence player.

I've been saying that for a while. On other social media platforms, I said I think we should stick with him - and he then went on and scored. He's very much a confidence player.

The challenge - and this is what the manager is paid for, is how much time do you give.

[burnmark]

Todays midfield of Cork and Stephens created nothing

Apart from Barnes’ volley at the back post, the through ball that nearly caused a player to be given a straight red and a shot from Stephens that would have gone in bar a deflection. Nothing.

[Andreshotboots]

I'm from a cricketing background and Wood in particular reminds me a batsman who's out of form. He's smashing it in the nets, but gets out in the middle and is trying so hard he tenses up and things just don't happen, and his timing is all out. I think with some of the headed chances he's missed recently this is clearly the case. His timing of his jumps is all wrong and hes just not making the correct contact. Get a tenner on him to score against United though, I am doing..

[claretgimmer]

Is that it then over 90 mins from two premiership midfielders against league 1 opposition, your easily pleased

[Colburn_Claret]

Very refreshing to hear Dyche come out state the following “ The chance count was really high, the chances on target & the quality chances - you have got to take them.

"I think on today's quality of chances I have got to look at the centre forwards today & put a bit of pressure on them”

About bloody time too

[FactualFrank]

Is that it then over 90 mins from two premiership midfielders against league 1 opposition, your easily pleased

Fans are fickle. That's just the way it is.

Vydra for me is an impact sub. If Jay is injured, then we start with Wood and Barnes.

[Danieljwaterhouse]

At the moment I would genuinely play Mumbongo in place of Wood.

Jesus Christ on a bike

[claretgimmer]

That`s fine FF but at least give the lad a decent amount of time on the pitch to have an effect, today he had but normally it`s 5 or 10 mins

[MACCA]

Cant remember Wood"s last good game to be honest.

Barnes is Barnes, scores 1 every dozen games, but generally the momentum or possession is lost once he gets involved.

A really poor game today from the top 2, and unless things change they won't score enough to keep us well clear of the drop.

( appreciate service of late has been poor, but today they have no excuses )

[AlargeClaret]

I thought Ash was ok tbh though he can kill momentum from forward play as he’s lost a little pace which shows,great servant though and he still has a part to
play .Wood is just woeful and though he’s earnt some credit you have to hope a fit Jay and proper striker is beckoning for Coach Dyche

[FactualFrank]

Jesus Christ on a bike

Unicycle.

[burnmark]

Is that it then over 90 mins from two premiership midfielders against league 1 opposition, your easily pleased

They both set the tone for that first half an hour, moved the ball well across the pitch as well as forward into Barnes and Wood. Quality ball from Stephen’s which Barnes was unlucky not to score from. His pass forward which Keogh handled was a great bit of technique.

They weren’t anymore than 6/10 when you look at the duration of the game but to say they provided nothing at all is way off.

[FactualFrank]

That`s fine FF but at least give the lad a decent amount of time on the pitch to have an effect, today he had but normally it`s 5 or 10 mins

I agree with that. He needed 25-30 minutes tonight, for sure.

[claretgimmer]

They both set the tone for that first half an hour, moved the ball well across the pitch as well as forward into Barnes and Wood. Quality ball from Stephen’s which Barnes was unlucky not to score from. His pass forward which Keogh handled was a great bit of technique.

They weren’t anymore than 6/10 when you look at the duration of the game but to say they provided nothing at all is way off.

Sorry but for me we lack creativity normally in midfield but whilst Cork ( who I like ) is on his way back Stephens looked lacklustre and off the pace, just not good enough IMO

[Sunny Cornwall]

Not only is Wood not scoring but his ability to hold the ball is none existent. Twice against Sheff U and once today he received the ball on the edge of the area and looked like an oil tanker trying to turn. The MK defence took the ball off him like taking candy from a baby.

[buzzclarets79]

Let’s not pull any punches here, the side we put out today wasn’t short of a full team, a premier league side vs a league one side, we should of absolutely battered them, over by half time.
If Barnes & Wood can’t fill their boots against MK Dons I’m struggling to see how they’ll score going forward...
Its really getting incredibly boring this style of play of SD, I can maybe understand it in the premier league, but against a league one side is not acceptable.
While I do hope that SD is backed in the transfer window I’m also concerned on how he’ll spend that backing, if it’s more strikers in the mould of Barnes & Wood....

[nil_desperandum]

Let’s not pull any punches here, the side we put out today wasn’t short of a full team, a premier league side vs a league one side, we should of absolutely battered them, over by half time.

Didn't exactly batter them, but with the chances we had, we should certainly have been 4 or 5 goals clear by HT.

[warksclaret]

What we lack because of squad size is competition.Too many playing poor knowing they start the next game.The two forwards are a good example. Vydra should have come on between 55-60 minutes,or even half time.SD is at times over-loyal

[Funkydrummer]

I'm from a cricketing background and Wood in particular reminds me a batsman who's out of form. He's smashing it in the nets, but gets out in the middle and is trying so hard he tenses up and things just don't happen, and his timing is all out. I think with some of the headed chances he's missed recently this is clearly the case. His timing of his jumps is all wrong and hes just not making the correct contact. Get a tenner on him to score against United though, I am doing..

I wouldn't put a tenner on him to score in a brothel.

[Quickenthetempo]

It's got to be a spell on the bench for Wood now and probably Barnes too.

Another game without a shot on target. Something needs to change.

[Frenchclaret]

Hear hear

[nyclaret]

Something does have to change. Will Dyche make that change against West Ham away? I'm not so sure. How much longer do you give them to play themselves into form though? We're 18 games in now. 9 goals scored.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Time for Jay Rod and Vydra to start on Saturday.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Wood has a great record v West Ham but he’ll be lucky to keep his place I would think.

[ksrclaret]

If Wood starts the next game it will be nothing less than a total insult to those strikers that have to start on the bench. He was absolutely turgid tonight. Inept display.

[Safron]

Dyche is too stubborn to make changes unless they are forced through injury

[randomclaret2]

The definition of madness...

[KRBFC]

Wood looks unfit to me, like he’s carrying an injury. Looks really leggy compared to previous years.

[MG70]

I noticed on a close up of Wood, that he looked to have a bit of a gut forming.

[Nonayforever]

Wood has completely disintegrated as a striker. He is lacking in anticipation, he's slow, lost confidence, no close control, finds it hard to hold the ball up and can't play a pass.
The strange thing is that he must be the complete opposite in training. Surely Dyche isn't that stupid to pick a player who is also bad in training.
Certainly in tonights second half he wasn't given a sniff and couldn't do anything about it.

[Papabendi]

Yes I noticed woods rubber band too

[Wellsy1882]

Vydra needs to give given a run with jay

[tiger76]

Something does have to change. Will Dyche make that change against West Ham away? I'm not so sure. How much longer do you give them to play themselves into form though? We're 18 games in now. 9 goals scored.

Actually we're 16 games in, but your point is still valid, I thought the Wolves game would be a tuning point both bagged that night, and looked a handful, but since then they've both reverted to type, and we can't continue in this vein, might as well give Jay and Vydra a few games to see what they can produce, surely they can't be any worse.

[Wile E Coyote]

both will come good again, once it gets as daft as suggesting wood is fat, you just know we are losing the plot.

[randomclaret2]

both will come good again, once it gets as daft as suggesting wood is fat, you just know we are losing the plot.

If a fella called Wood can't carry a bit of timber, then who can ?

[RalphCoatesComb]

Time for Jay Rod and Vydra to start on Saturday.

It doesn't really matter who plays up front. Without service, no striker can score!

[Spijed]

It doesn't really matter who plays up front. Without service, no striker can score!

Tbf we've had good chances recently but Wood and Barnes have failed to score them.

Against Everton, Arsenal, Palace, Sheff u and Wolves plus MK Don's we had golden chances to score more goals but failed.

[Stevie Morgan]

It doesn't really matter who plays up front. Without service, no striker can score!

There is also an onus on forwards to make themselves available, hold the ball up and link play up. Vydra showed far more of this.

[MT03ALG]

Start with Vydra and Rodriguez. How many chances did we have in the last 10 minutes ?
Use Barnes and Wood if necessary from the bench.
If chasing games play 3-4-3 with Wood central and two from Vydra, Barnes and Rodriguez picking up the pieces.

[RalphCoatesComb]

Tbf we've had good chances recently but Wood and Barnes have failed to score them.

Against Everton, Arsenal, Palace, Sheff u and Wolves plus MK Don's we had golden chances to score more goals but failed.

And Vyds could have won a coconut tonight, had in been on seat Z158 in the Jimmy Mac Upper

[Stalbansclaret]

Tbf we've had good chances recently but Wood and Barnes have failed to score them.

Against Everton, Arsenal, Palace, Sheff u and Wolves plus MK Don's we had golden chances to score more goals but failed.

Don't forget Wood's heading against the bar at WBA....I still cant get that chance out of my head given the extra cushion it would have given us !

[Murger]

It's totally pointless having more than 2 strikers if you don't mix it up when things aren't working.

[gtclaret]

Wood is playing like he's protecting an injury, completely useless

[Richardsbfc]

Even when both were in form, they wasn't great. Now they are both out of form. Jeez.

Wood has never been able to control a ball or use his height and strength to hold up play. Only seems to be available inside the 6 yard box and as of late, he couldn't hit a barn door from one yard.

Barnes hold up and his ability to win a free kick have always helped us but can't finish for toffee.

Forward area is absolutely a place we need improvement.

[dandeclaret]

I noticed on a close up of Wood, that he looked to have a bit of a gut forming.

Here we go..... next stop he didn't look upset enough when he got injured / substituted, he didn't smile on a team photo.

[gtclaret]

One incident, Wood and Harry Mag went for a high ball, Woods feet never left the ground, he put his head between his shoulders. Harry jumped easily clearing the ball with a free header. Says it all, it's not a bad run of poor form, he's aways been like this, just got away with it. We're playing with a man less. SD loves him so we will just have to find a way of coping

[warksclaret]

WE need to secure Josh King before Big Sam does-come on Mr Pace get it sorted. Surely now SD cannot be pleased with the front two following his comments Saturday, and their inability to find the net

[JTClaret]

Have Barnes and Wood been effective together since the 18/19 season?

19/20 started poorly and changed when Barnes was injured and Jay Rod was playing.
This season we are into January and still waiting for the attack to start being effective.

[AlargeClaret]

They’ve been great servants but as a partnership really haven’t performed regularly since season before last imo .
Barnes look slow and he was never gifted with pace and I think his time at this level is well and truly over . While he may yet score the odd goal some of the blind faith people store in Wood and Barnes is truly delusional .